Alex Brogan Profile picture
Nov 12 12 tweets 3 min read
If you use it right, Google is the most powerful tool in the world.

But most of us aren't using it to its full potential.

Here are 9 Googling tips that will save you hundreds of hours:
Use “Site:”

Site: allows you to search a website for exact keywords.

For example, to search when Google has been mentioned on nytimes.com, use:

”Google site:nytimes.com
Use “Quotation Marks”

This is equivalent to searching for the exact phrase.

Google search will return pages with only the same words in the same order as the quotes.

For example, “American Football” will NOT return results that contain just “American” or “Football.”
Use “..”

By separating numbers with two periods, you’ll find numbers within that range.

For example, find history books that cost between $30 and $50.

”History books” $30..$50
Use “-”

A hyphen “-” will exclude the word following it.

For example, if you want to find non-apple laptops, you could search “laptops -apple”.
Use “Filetype:”

Using your search term + “filetype:[insert file type]” will return the search in only that file type.

For example, “twitter annual report filetype:pdf” returns only pdf documents of Twitter’s annual reports.
Use “OR”

With “OR” you can perform two search queries at the same time.

For example, you can search for pages that reference Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with Twitter OR Facebook OR Instagram.
Use “AND”

With “AND” you’ll get only results that include both of the keywords.

For example, “Luis” AND “Ronaldo” will return results that have Luis and Ronaldo, not just Luis or Ronaldo separately.
Use “After”

”After” will return results for your keyword after a certain date.

For example, copywriting after:2021 will only return articles published on copywriting after 2021.
Use “Before”

”Before” will return results for your keyword before a certain date.

For example, elon musk before:2021 will only return articles published on elon musk before 2021.
That's a wrap!

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More from @_alexbrogan

Nov 10
21 of the most powerful paradoxes of modern life:
The Resistance Paradox

When we accept resistance, resistance disappears.

When we accept our challenges, we’re able to start solving them.

When we face the fire, the fire can be extinguished.

Our resistance is an opportunity, or an ever-growing thorn in our side.
The Failure Paradox

The more you’re prepared to fail, the more likely you are to succeed.

Failure beats stagnation, as failure breeds learning.

Learning breeds insights, and insights breed advantages that lead to success.

The faster you fail, the faster you’ll succeed.
Read 23 tweets
Nov 9
Problem solving is one of life's most important skills.

But school doesn't bother teaching it.

Here are the best problem solving methods you should learn to accelerate your career:
Find The Root Cause

A proximate cause is the most immediately observable cause of a problem.

The symptom.

The root cause is the underlying reason.

The disease.

When problem solving, find the root cause to ensure it doesn't happen again.

How? The 5 Whys Method Find The Root Cause
The Minto Pyramid Principle

A McKinsey developed framework for writing and presenting ideas.

"A tool to help you find out what you think."

Process:

1. Start with the problem first

2. Group and summarize your supporting arguments

3. Logically order your supporting ideas The Minto Pyramid Principle
Read 7 tweets
Nov 8
The 10 most important skills for the next 10 years:
Artificial Intelligence Literacy

The recent developments in AI—broadly termed “Generative AI”—are only the tip of the iceberg for what’s coming in the next 10 years.

AI will reach deeply into every industry in the world.

Start here:
coursera.org/learn/ai-for-e…
Limiting Distractions

Resisting the allure of our infinite abundance and innumerable outlets for instant gratification is one of the greatest personal challenges you’ll face.

Those who succeed will build a compounding advantage.

Start here:
Indistractable - Nir Eyal
Read 14 tweets
Nov 6
Paul Graham isn't a billionaire by accident.

He's one of the clearest thinkers alive.

Here are 16 of his most powerful lessons on success:
Think for Yourself

Thinking for yourself is life’s greatest competitive advantage—you see opportunities others don’t.

• Read History
• Ask, “Is it true?”
• Meet different types of people
• Be less aware of conventional beliefs
• Cultivate independent-minded friends
Be Good

Being good is a competitive advantage.

It sets the compass for difficult decisions, allowing accelerated progress.

It makes other people want to help you on your mission.

It gets you through the inevitable ups-and-downs because you're anchored to purpose.
Read 19 tweets
Nov 5
5,000 TED Talks.

But only a handful will leave you smarter.

Here are 10 TED Talks that will accelerate your learning:
What Makes A Good Life? Lessons From The Longest Study On Happiness

By Robert Waldinger (@robertwaldinger)

Robert shares 3 important lessons from the longest study ever completed on happiness that might just surprise you.

ted.com/talks/robert_w…
Do Schools Kill Creativity?

By Sir Ken Robinson

A profound and hilarious case for creating an education system that nurtures—rather than stifles—creativity.

ted.com/talks/sir_ken_…
Read 13 tweets
Nov 3
Walmart is the world’s largest company by revenue with US$570bn.

Its founder, Sam Walton, might just be the greatest entrepreneur of the 20th Century.

Here are 15 of his most powerful lessons on success:
Think Small

Sam had a catch-phrase that the bigger Walmart gets, the focus should be on “Thinking Small”—focusing on what got them there in the first place.

The more successful you become, the more ego creeps in, and the easier it is to become distracted.

Think small.
Frugality in Speech and Expenditure is a Competitive Advantage

As Rockefeller did, Walton never let on how well Walmart was doing to avoid unwanted attention from serious competition.

Great entrepreneurs control their costs incessantly.
Read 19 tweets

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